MERCI CAFÉ
Near the start, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2:30 PM
+19412174851
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
212.4 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gulf Gate Estates, FL
Glenda Thompson
Hialeah, FL
Wikimedia Commons
Gulf Gate Estates, FL to Hialeah, FL is 212.4 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 75 and South Tamiami Trail, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Florida, taking you from the Gulf Coast region towards South Florida. Expect a predominantly highway experience for most of the 3h 59m drive, making it a straightforward transit. With a single recommended stop and a manageable distance, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
106.2 miles from Gulf Gate Estates, FL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 190.8 mi | 3h 24m |
| South Tamiami Trail | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| Express Lanes | 3 mi | 3m |
| Laurel Road East | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Gratigny Parkway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Palm Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West 4th Avenue/Red Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West 65th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 112 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,628 veh/hr typical · worst 4,277
Quietest
2 AM
~215 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Gulf Gate Estates, FL and Hialeah, FL.
Start on US 41
Turn left onto CR 762
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Merge onto Express Lanes
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Continue on SR 924 Toll
Take the exit
Turn right onto SR 823
Turn left onto West 68th Street
Continue on West 2nd Court
Continue on West 65th Street
Turn right onto Palm Avenue
Turn left onto East 41st Street
Turn right onto East 2nd Avenue
Turn left onto East 39th Place
Turn right onto East 2nd Court
Turn right onto East 39th Street
Arrive at destination
For this relatively short 3h 59m drive, starting in the morning offers flexibility, allowing you to arrive in Hialeah with plenty of daylight. The route is mostly highway, so the single recommended stop is likely sufficient for a break. Given the $33 fuel cost estimate, consider filling up before you leave Gulf Gate Estates to potentially secure better prices. The longest stretch of driving, 190.8 miles on I 75, means you can settle in for a good portion of the trip without many turns.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.2 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hialeah, FL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Gulf Gate Estates, FL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gulf Gate Estates, FL
This is one driving day of about 212.4 miles and 3h 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 106.2 miles from Gulf Gate Estates, FL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 190.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop
Sarasota, Florida
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 8 AM–2:30 PM
+19412174851
Elena's Restaurant
Punta Gorda, Florida
Unwined Wine Bar & Eatery
Punta Gorda, Florida
Best coffee break
Sarasota, Florida
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 AM–4 PM
+19414174092
Los Dos Cristianos Coffee Shop
North Port, Florida
Mon Ami Cafe a European and American Cafe Experience
Venice, Florida
Near the start, short detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2:30 PM
+19412174851
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–3 PM
+19415751888
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 3–10 PM
+19412863296
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
North Port, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+19412578036
Near the start, ~10 min detour
Osprey, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2 PM
+19414441940
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
+19412186418
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–4 PM
+19414174092
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
North Port, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–2 PM
+19414836516
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: 9 AM–4 PM
+19413036621
Early in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 7 AM–10 PM
+19415050562
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Cooper City, Florida
Hours: 9 AM–4 PM
+19546806599
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: 9 AM–2:15 PM
+19419992428
Early in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: 8 AM–2 AM
+19413477147
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Sarasota, Florida
Hours: 7:30 AM–1:30 PM
+19413467170
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18555023851
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Punta Gorda, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18447112474
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Venice, Florida
+18555675853
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Venice, Florida
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336224743
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Bonita Springs, Florida
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+12399922591
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hialeah, Florida
+13056858389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Miramar, Florida
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+19548836950
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Miami, Florida
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+13056385800
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+13058490135
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Fort Myers, Florida
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 188.6 and 208.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Miami
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Express Lanes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Northwest 138th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 823: Northwest 57th Avenue, Red Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$32.15 one way
$64.31 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $35.28 | $70.56 |
| premium | $4.55 | $38.05 | $76.10 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.11 | $80.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.20 |
| Efficient EV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.59 | $8.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85 | 1 | $29.74 | $13.59 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Gulf Gate Estates on Monday
Local time
3:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Late night in Hialeah on Monday
Local time
3:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Cloudy
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:52PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
78°F
Golden Gate, FL
106 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Memorial
In May 1539, Conquistador Hernando de Soto’s army of soldiers, hired mercenaries, craftsmen, and clergy made landfall in Tampa Bay. They were met with fierce resistance of indigenous people protecting...
National Park
Within sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Evidence of 10,000 years of human history is here to...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
You'll spend about 91% of your time on highways, with a significant 190.8-mile stretch on I 75. Surface roads like South Tamiami Trail and Express Lanes will make up the remaining portion, likely encountered closer to your destination. Be prepared for frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach urban areas in South Florida.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and South Tamiami Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 188.6 miles in near I 75.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 212.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 188.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
30 ft
Total Descent
36 ft
Highest Point
31 ft
~30.3 mi in
Elevation Range
25 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gulf Gate Estates, FL and Hialeah, FL, road signs point toward Miami and Express Lanes.
Miami
Express Lanes
Hialeah is a city in the Greater Miami region of Florida.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 212.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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